INVESTIGATING WHY THE ONE STOP CENTRE AT CHIKWAWA DISTRICT HOSPITAL IS INEFFECTIVE TO MALE SURVIVORS OF GENDER BASED VIOLENCE

Abstract

The study explores the ineffectiveness of Chikwawa District Hospital One Stop Centre towards male survivors in accessing GBV services, as it was established to provide comprehensive support for all GBV survivors. Despite its intended inclusivity, evidence suggests that male survivors are underserved, due to societal stigma, lack of awareness and that its services are predominantly designed for women. This study investigates the specific reasons behind this ineffectiveness, with the aim to identify the gaps in service provision and propose recommendations to make the Centre more accessible and supportive for male survivors, addressing overlooked aspect of GBV and promoting equitable care for all survivors. The study used a qualitative approach to gather in-depth insights into the experiences and perceptions of male survivors. A purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 35 participants, including male and female GBV survivors and non-survivors, chiefs, religious leaders and officers at One Stop Centre. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and document reviews to capture diverse perspectives on the Centre's effectiveness. The response rate was high, with 29 out of the 35 targeted participants providing detailed responses. Data analysis was conducted using thematic analysis and the key findings revealed that the Centre's services are largely ineffective for male survivors due to a combination of societal stigma, gender biases in service provision and inadequate awareness. In addition, the Centre faces internal challenges, such as limited staff training on gender inclusivity and lack of management support, as things that hinders its ability to provide effective and comprehensive care to male survivors. Finally, the study recommends implementing gender-inclusive reforms to make the Centre more accessible and supportive for male survivors such as expanding staff training to improve sensitivity and competence in addressing male-specific GBV issues, ensuring that all survivors receive equitable and respectful care and enhancing community outreach and awareness campaigns that explicitly include men as potential beneficiaries of the services, thereby reducing stigma and encouraging male survivors to seek help.